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On November 24th, 2018 Canadians nationwide are being encouraged to Shop Locally within their Neighbourhoods, to make a local purchase and take advantage of exclusive event deals offered by the businesses in their areas. The weekend celebrates small businesses and reminds Canadians how local shopping makes a difference in all our lives. So we ask you Parkdale, help us celebrate and choose to #Shoplocal or #ShopTOWest on Nov 24 within our amazing Parkdale Village! But that’s not all, don’t let your support of community entrepreneurs start and end on Nov 24, we hope you’ll shop and re-explore your community throughout December.

Stay tuned for dozens of deals, promotions and local stories we’ll be sharing or take a look at the Sneak Peak below!. Share your own local recommendations and favorites to shopping local by using hashtag #parkdale #shopTOWest & #shoplocal

Members of the PVBIA (Commercial/Industrial Property or Business Owner) you are invited to attend the BIA Annual General Meeting on Monday October 15th, 2018 at 7:00pm at the Parkdale Centre for Innovation, 1464 Queen Street West, Toronto (formerly Scotiabank at Lansdowne Ave).

Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., light snacks and drinks will be served and the event is open to residents and visitors (space is limited).

Do you want to make a difference in your Business Improvement Area (BIA)? As a Commercial/Industrial Property or Business Owner, you are eligible to serve on our BIA Board of Management. Nominations, voting and elections will take place at the AGM. If you wish to serve, contact our office today for more details @ 416 536 6918 or [email protected]

Everyone loves a good deal and getting a bang for their buck. But it’s a tricky task with over-priced grocery stores and specialty clothing boutiques popping up left, right and centre in Toronto.

That’s why we’ve curated a collection of Parkdale stores along with bargain hunting tips so you can find affordable groceries, everyday essentials and restaurants without cashing in your entire pay cheque.

CLOTHINGShop for all things fashion from shoes, accessories, clothing and outerwear at these value driven stores. Go ahead and shop to your hearts content!

Common Sort(1414 Queen St. W.)
Bring in clean, fashionable and excellent condition items to be priced and get 50% of that value as in store credit or as 25% in cash. They even offer free styling services when you fill out your fashion preferences here!The Salvation Army Thrift Store(1447 Queen St. W.)
Great for clothing and inexpensive children’s books and toys. Donate items in-store for a $10 off your purchase coupon and there’s no HST on clothing and household items!Top Brands for Less(1470 Queen St. W.)
Find new, brand name clothing, bags and shoes at deep discounted prices.

TIPS
• Don’t shop on Saturday or Sunday. Everyone is out shopping and the inventory will be over-picked. Shop the middle of the week for the best finds!
• Sign up for email alerts or follow social media to receive exclusive deals, sale notifications and coupons.

GROCERIES & EVERYDAY BASICSGroceries are an expense we can’t avoid completely but luckily it’s one we can control. Get cleaning supplies, this week’s groceries, and household goods for a fraction of box store prices.

Budget One Stop(1281 Queen St. W.)Dollarama(1337 Queen St. W.)Fullworth(1371 Queen St. W.)

TIPS
• Try asking for a rain check. If a sale item is out of stock, you will be entitled its sale price when it’s back in stock.
• Don’t pay for convenience; avoid individually packaged, cut or peeled foods. Instead, cut fruits or package cookies once you get home.
• Check expiry dates. Grocery stores rotate stock by pushing forward older merch. Grab from the back of fridges and shelves to bring home the freshest items.

FRUIT & VEGGIES Get the freshest in-season fruits and veggies from Parkdale supermarkets most of which are at great bundle prices!

TIPS
• Skip purchasing beverages with your food. Replace pop, coffee & tea with non-bottled water to save $2-$3 per person!
• Dine-in on Monday or Tuesday. These days are usually the slowest for restaurants, so take advantage of any specials.

Thanks to the feedback the Parkdale Village BIA received from the 2017 Member’s Survey, we have been continuously searching for ways to address the top priorities identified by you, our members, with Street Cleaning, Garbage and Litter Reduction as the primary objective.

Despite being one of the smallest types of litter, did you know that cigarette butts and cigar tips are the top item collected during local clean-ups? Or that roughly 24,660 cigarettes are littered in Toronto every 15 minutes?

To help combat this issue within our own Parkdale Village community, we are delighted to bring back our Cigarette Litter Prevention Program!

With this program, the BIA aims to mitigate unsightly street waste, reduce the environmental harm from cigarette toxins in our gardens, tree pits and waterways and reduce city and community clean-up costs.

In order to achieve our goals, we require a joint effort from you and the community! Here are a couple of ways YOU can help:

1. Install Cigarette Litter Receptacles (Free)
The PVBIA is currently seeking 15 properties interested in having a cigarette litter receptacle installed onto their storefront façade. Emptying the sleek, stainless steel receptacles does not require touching the ash or cigarette butts. If you are interested in having one installed onto your storefront, at no cost, please contact the BIA.

2. Offer Pocket Ashtrays to Your Clientele (Free)
The PVBIA has over 1,000 pocket ashtrays ready to distribute throughout the community. Contact us if you’d like free pocket ashtrays to hand out at your business, property and/or upcoming event.They are free after all!

3. Encourage Proper Disposal
Kindly remind your clientele to dispose of cigarette butts in designated receptacles located on City of Toronto Garbage bins.

Please consider helping us and the local community by supporting the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. That way we can curb cigarette litter, one butt at a time!

Home to an assortment of restaurants serving multicultural fare, let your taste buds travel the world and experience a snippet of some of the tastiest international cuisines, right here in Parkdale Village!

Begin your journey with all the tastes Asia has to offer from Chinese, Korean, and Japanese to Filipino, Indian, Tibetan and Middle Eastern dishes. Then, get your tropical on with Polynesian, Mexican and Caribbean eats or be whisked away to Europe at Parkdale’s French, Italian, Greek and Eastern European restaurants! Finally, journey on home for some good ol’ classic comfort food.

It comes as no surprise that tourists; new and returning, foreign and local are eager to explore and dive into our amazing neighbourhood, Parkdale Village in the City of Toronto!

Travellers like yourself have a plethora of options and destinations when choosing the best way to immerse into the area’s arts and culture, experiencing the foodie and nightlife scene and joining the hustle and bustle that is Parkdale, making the decision quite an easy one really. Whereas deciding where to stay for a good night’s sleep is a whole other story.

To experience the village from a locals perspective, there are numerous accommodations available from quaint Bed & Breakfasts, to eclectic Airbnbs and vibrant hotels. Read on for our tried and true spots and new favourites.

AIRBNB

In Parkdale Village and the surrounding neighbourhoods, there are over 100 Airbnb locations to make your stay and experience memorable! Find your perfect home away from home, or perhaps a hidden gem. Here is a collection of our personal favourites:

1. The Muse; a stylish & hip artist apartment in a Victorian home steps away from transit and trendy Queen St. W. Has a lush green backyard and fully equipped kitchen. Sleeps 4. Book me.

2. Whimsical and vibrant hideaway apartment perfect for a city escape. Loads of natural sunlight from the skylights and a fully equipped kitchen. Sleeps 10. Book me.

4. Vibrant, fun and eclectic grand old home. Has an indoor fireplace and large backyard deck. Sleeps 9. Book me.

5. Stylish designer home featured in style at home and design magazines. Has one parking spot and private wooden patio. Sleeps 6. Book me.

6. Modern and spacious open concept home. A short walk to the trendiest shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops Parkdale has to offer! Sleeps 12+. Book me

7. Artistic and character-filled open concept loft. Its 1100 sq. ft. is decorated with vintage 1960s appliances and has a projector movie theatre screening room. Sleeps 6. Book me.

8. Green Mansion; a bright and spacious private room in a 3-story home. Has an indoor fireplace and house plants throughout. Sleeps 2. Book me.

HOSTEL

The Parkdale Hostellerie

Spirited travellers can find a place to call home at the Parkdale Hostellerie. As a place connecting people and the neighbourhood, the hostel’s 6 modern lifestyle rooms each have their own personalized design and warm communal living space for cooking and mingling. Just 100 metres away is Queen St. W. and some of Parkdale’s finest eateries and vintage shops! (83 Elm Grove Avenue)

Parkdale is home to our favourite West End Bed & Breakfasts, a delightful vacation alternative to Toronto hotel chains and modern Airbnbs. Spend a night or two in a beautifully restored historical Victorian mansion and experience Parkdale’s nightlife, vintage shops, cafes and more!

The Elliott House B&B

Built in the 1900’s is The Elliott House, a large Victorian home that has retained much of its original features and furnishings. For over 15 years, the husband and wife team, Jeff and Pauline Cross, have run the Bed & Breakfast alongside their two friendly cats, Minnie and Mama.

The Elliott House is praised by guests on their plentiful and delicious breakfast, warm and welcoming hospitality and proximity to Toronto attractions. Relax in the evening on their backyard porch overlooking the garden, take a stroll on the beach only 6 minutes away or an 8-minute walk to Parkdale’s eclectic antique shops around Triller Avenue. It can’t get better than this! (157 Dowling Avenue)

The IndexG B&B, is a family operated Bed & Breakfast located on the 2nd floor of a newly renovated art gallery space, hosting guests in an urban and contemporary living space. Built in the 1900’s, the property is without any noted architectural significance, but its interior is finely decorated with a selection of original gallery artwork.

This 4 guest room B&B, serves a complimentary continental breakfast in an open, inspirational environment where you can mingle with other guests and is a 10-min walk to Parkdale’s Tibetan restaurant scene. (50 Gladstone Avenue)

Roncesvalles Village Bed & Breakfast is a cozy, and fully equipped apartment situated in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood and in walking distance of High Park, Lake Ontario, cafes and a 15-min walk to Parkdale’s Glory Hole Doughnuts! Relax in the evenings on their beautifully furnished terrace overlooking a candle lit flower garden and start-up the gas BBQ!

Hosts, Al and Alice, are praised for their scrumptious and filling breakfasts as well as spotlessly clean and comfortable accommodations. (272 Macdonell Avenue)

Don’t feel like Airbnb-ing it? Go the conventional route, and stay at a hotel here in Toronto’s West End. Each offers a unique experience and vibe, different from what you’ll find in the downtown core, all right here in Parkdale’s vicinity.

Gladstone Hotel

The historic Gladstone Hotel built in 1889, is Toronto’s oldest continuously operating hotel, with 37 uniquely designed rooms each by a different local artist. During your stay, don’t miss out on local art exhibitions at Northern Contemporary Gallery, Gallery 1313, Elaine Fleck Gallery, General Hardware Contemporary Gallery & Margin of Eras Gallery. (1214 Queen St. W.)

Earning the reputation as the city’s artsiest place to stay, check out:

Room 305 Teen Queen. A homage to young girls we were, feared, and wished we were.

Opening its doors in 2004 after extensive re-hauling, The Drake Hotel is Toronto’s rock and roll hotel and a few quick steps away from over 17 Parkdale Patios!.

Guest rooms range in size and share similar industrial designs that incorporate charcoal hardwood flooring, metals, jewel tones and rich fabrics. Each room is decked out with original artwork, an artisanal mini bar, fluffy robes and bag of popcorn to curve late night hunger! (1150 Queen St. W.)

Hotel X, is the place to stay if you are looking for a modern and all-inclusive luxurious stay here in Toronto’s West-End. Boasting amenities such as a 250-seat cinema, 4 indoor tennis courts, dedicated Pilates, spinning and yoga rooms and free transport to Union Station and Billy Bishop Airport, plus more!

Not to mention, Hotel X is pet-friendly, has 9ft. floor to ceiling windows in each room for spectacular views of the Toronto skyline or Lake Ontario and is host to the city’s only 3-level Rooftop SkyBar! (111 Princes’ Boulevard)

An art installation on the planters, once a reflection of the community’s pride, is now faded. More than 500 images showcasing residents, iconic landmarks and everyday scenes in the community are cracked or even missing.

But an upgrade is in the works.

Local Parkdale mural artist Jim Bravo, who participated in the initial project called Jameson Ave Impressions, has been working tirelessly to give the eight year old art installation a new lease on life after receiving an overwhelming amount of positive community push for a revamp.

“I’ve been campaigning to get it reinstalled because we got some new people living in the neighbourhood now,” Bravo said.

“I got a lot of queries from people who want to be a part of this one.”

The outdoor photo exhibit was installed in 2009 with the help of Bravo and photographer Kate Young. It consisted of more than 500 black and white photographs installed on the perimeter of the 72 tree planters that stretched along Jameson from Queen Street West to Springhurst Avenue.

Bravo told CTV News Toronto for this version of the installation all the images that will appear on the planters will be printed on aluminium and then installed on the planters to ensure its longevity.

“I plan to include people who make up the community or keep the community going in a positive way. The focus is definitely the main hub which is south Parkdale, which is where the more marginalized communities exist,” Bravo said.

“It could be Parkdale legends, a person, a restaurant, a bus stop, a laneway or a house. The idea is to keep it authentic in the face of change.”

As an homage to the initial installation Bravo told CTV News Toronto he also plans to include some of the original images on a couple of “dedication planters” to honour some of the people the community has lost over the years.

The project continues to be funded by the City of Toronto’s Beautiful Streets Program, but it’s also getting some moral support from the local Business Improvement Area team. Executive director Anna Bartula, who is familiar with Bravo’s work in the community, helped him spread the word about the community’s beloved planter art getting a makeover.

“It’s such a unique project and it’s such a relevant project to the community right now, especially for Jameson. It will be filled with images of people that live in the neighbourhood. It just offers such a deeper significance,” Bartula explained to CTV News Toronto.

“We have a lot of voices in community, I think what this project does is it gives people a face. It reminds people that these are the faces of our community. It’s what’s beautiful about this project. People get the chance to see themselves and see their neighbours.”

Although the art installation doesn’t have a theme, said Bravo, the essence of the original installation will remain.

“The whole thing was put together initially to celebrate how people usually land in a place like Parkdale, where there’s usually low rent so they can get started,” Bravo explained.

Bravo added that the images will focus on what he calls “hardcore Parkdale,” without excluding the new wave of residents that have come to call the neighbourhood home.

“We’re getting right to the heart of the community. We’re not focusing on the new gentrified aspect of it. We’re going into the rough zones because that’s still Parkdale,” Bravo said.

Fill your belly with steamy and savoury Tibetan and Nepali dumplings at the fourth annual Momo Crawl T.O., hosted by Students for a Free Tibet Canada. This July 29th in Little Tibet, Parkdale hosts Toronto foodies on a steamy savoury crawl for the top momos.
What’s a Momo you ask? Momos are delicious Tibetan (and Himalayan) dumplings (meat or veg) mixed with a balanced blend of herbs and spices, hand-wrapped in dough and steamed to perfection.

Buy a Momo passport for $25, and open your gates to Little Tibet. You may think the passport is just a document that authorizes travel or authenticates the bearers’ identity, but it grants you a total of 10 Momos from 10 different Tibetan and Nepalese restaurants in Parkdale. This year will introduce three NEW Tibetan restaurants mentioned below. All participating restaurants will have meat and vegetarian options.

If you purchase your passport on Eventbrite, you can pick it up on the day of at the headquarters tent in front of Tsampa Restaurant (non-participant). You can also purchase your passport physically at a location specified here on our Facebook event page.

The Parkdale Village BIA has been awarded a $500 grant from the Landscape Ontario Toronto (LOTO) Chapter, the funds will go towards Phase 1 of revitalizing the West Lodge Garden.

West Lodge Garden – After

Located at the corner of Queen Street West and West Lodge Avenue, is the public West Lodge community garden, maintained year-round by PVBIA.

In recent years, the garden has been susceptible to litter, illegal dumping and unwanted, illicit activity and has posed some challenges for community stakeholders working to improve the corner. Phase 1 of the Garden makeover began last week with the removal of cedar trees which posed structural challenges as well as safety concerns, the $500 grant will enable PVBIA to continue Phase 1 with weeding, adding new soil and plants, with hopes of Phase 2 of the rejuvenation being funded in 2019.

West Lodge Garden – Before

Special thanks to Parkdale Green Thumbs Enterprise for their ongoing expertise, products and services throughout the grant application. Hand and Glove Gardening Co., local to Parkdale will be responsible for the reinvigoration of the garden.

Did you know that the PVBIA oversees 7 community gardens? We continue to manage the installation, watering, and maintenance of over 180 floral assets in Parkdale such as sidewalk planters, gardens and hanging flower baskets on storefronts.

Contact us if you are interested in a floral hanging basket for your storefront facade!

How the Grant Recipients Were Chosen

All successful applicants had a project with a clear vision of community benefit and provided a viable implementation plan, a realistic budget, an ongoing maintenance plan and possess strongly engaged volunteers. In several cases, the projects involve long-term engagement by dedicated community members.

About Landscape Ontario Toronto Chapter

The Toronto Chapter of Landscape Ontario financially supports local community projects through their bursary program that encourages and supports community greening initiatives as a way to give back to the neighbourhoods and communities their members live and work in.

This year, the Toronto Chapter expanded the program to offer $15,000, a $5000 increase from 2017, with individual maximum grants of $1500. The applications they received support community gardens, pollinator plantings, native plant gardens, and laneway rehabilitation projects.

For more information about the 2018 Landscape Ontario Toronto Chapter Bursary and the winning community projects, visit here and stay updated on their progress through their Instagram @landscapeontario and Twitter @green_for_life.

With summer in full swing, the best way to embrace these sunny days is, arguably, dining al fresco. Whether you are out with family searching for a meal or grabbing a quick pint with friends, nothing beats relaxing from the heat at some of Toronto’s best-decked patios, many of which adorn grand umbrellas, and amazing city views.

What’s even better, is that you don’t need to go far to find them – some of the best outdoor patios are here in your own backyard from Dufferin Street to Roncesvalles Avenue in Parkdale Village – come and explore these hidden gems!

DUMBO SNACK BAR
New to Parkdale’s scene is Dumbo Snack Bar, the perfect place to vibe with friends, grab a cocktail or try a couple of snacks like the mega-trendy avocado toast, chicken sliders and vegan pita + dip. Pro tip: Dumbo is open until 2am Tuesday-Saturday for all you night-owls. (1704 Queen St. W)

AMICO’S RISTORANTE
Amico’s Ristorante does Italian home cooking like no where else! They offer traditionally inspired Italian pizzas, pastas and sandwiches in a cozy, casual, family-friendly restaurant. Enjoy their spacious backyard patio, live music Fridays and 1/2 price pizza Wednesdays! An added bonus- from Thursday to Saturday, they’re open late! (1648 1/2 Queen St. W)

FOOD AND LIQUOR
Meet your go-to neighbourhood bar who happens to be celebrating their 5 year anniversary: Food and Liquor. The bar boasts a unique snack menu consisting of fried tofu chips, apple dumplings, and curry sweet potato balls (plus more)! Their cozy backyard patio, is the perfect place for late night snacking with a kitchen open until 2am with wooden tables and hanging fairy lights. Don’t miss out on their “$5 at Five”. (1610 Queen St. W)

BIRKY’S BAR
Replacing the Yukon Bar, Birky’s Bar serves an assortment of wood-fired pizzas and burgers, you can’t go wrong! Enjoy a classic Neapolitan-style pizza, a Birky’s burger or a large cold one out on their cozy outdoor patio. (1592 Queen St. W)

DAIKO
Specializing in Nepali and Indian cuisine, Daiko is a casual restaurant where food, ambiance and drinks come together! Relax on their quaint front patio and try their amazing Thali dishes, samosas, and momo’s with a view of Queen Street West. (1564 Queen St. W)

TENNESSEE TAVERN
The Tennessee Tavern is an Eastern European bar open weekdays from 5pm and 10am on weekends. Their iconic 40-seater patio features a vintage bird cage from Smash, and picnic table booths – perfect for brunch with family or a night out in the town. Alongside their lengthy drink list, some of their must-try dishes are their big pretzel with mustard, pierogis and veal schnitzel. (1554 Queen St. W)

THE MEZZ
Parkdale’s very own rock dive restaurant, The Mezz, oozes a community-like vibe with customers hunkering down for their affordable alcoholic drinks and Guilty Milty (their biggest double patty burger)! Outside, wooden picnic tables, Muskoka chairs and green grape vines make up their patio, the ideal social gathering spot to dine with friends. An added bonus, Tuesdays is “buck-a-shuck”!. (1546 Queen St. W)

TIBET KITCHEN Specializing in Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine, Tibet Kitchen’s cozy backyard patio that’s draped with string lights, is the place to try popular Tibetan dishes such as momos, chicken chilli and phingsha. In addition to Tibetan delicacies, their menu is vegetarian friendly and includes other Asian favourites like spring rolls, chowmein and spicy lunch specials. (1544 Queen St. W)

LITTLE TIBET – OPENED JULY 6TH!Join the community in welcoming Parkdale’s newest Tibetan restaurant: Little Tibet. Serving delicious Hakka and Tibetan dishes, take a shot at their chili chicken and beef on their new front patio facing Queen Street West. An added plus, it is totally Instagram-worthy with an aesthetic green grass wall and Tibetan prayer flags! (1439 Queen St. W)

OM RESTAURANTTucked away under a canopy of neighboring trees, Om Restaurant’s south-facing patio is a spacious gathering spot to taste their authentic Tibetan and Indian dishes (halal and vegetarian friendly). All of which include delicious momos, curry and large $8 adult lunch specials or $6 for students. (1330 Queen St. W)

SUPERPOINT EXPRESS
This low-key pizzeria off of Queen St. W on Dunn Ave, offers a variety of scrumptious thin-crust pies. Have a taste of their hawaiian, capicollo or kale & gorgonzola pies on Superpoint’s newly built side patio! (269 Dunn Ave)

GRAND ELECTRICGrand Electric is a hip, taqueria joint dishing out some of Parkdale’s best baja fish tacos, pork carnitas and guac + chips. Come out to relax and socialize on their cozy backyard patio which boasts a bar and communal picnic tables, what’s not to love! (1449A Queen St. W).

THE PARKDALE DRINKAs Parkdale’s resident neighbourhood dance party hub, the Parkdale Drink is the spot for a fun night out. Dimly lit, their large modern backyard patio is a swanky setting to experience global fare and endless drink options with a DJ spinning tunes just steps away. (1292 Queen St. W)

THE RHINO BARA destination for the world’s finest beers, The Rhino, has got you covered on those hot, summer days with their hefty assortment of beverages. Try their southern fried chicken or sausage penne on the largest side patio in Parkdale in a sea of iconic orange seats, the perfect place for people watching. (1249 Queen St. W)

RUSTIC COSMO CAFE A Parkdale staple since 1995, the Rustic Cosmo Café is not only famous for their cow-in-a-martini-glass logo but also for their delicious sandwiches, gigantic breakfast plates and friendly, familiar faces. This gem of a café has a quaint backyard patio, perfect for reading and relaxation while sipping a fruity beverage. (1278 Queen St. W)